Honors Program

What is the Honors Program?

The Saint Leo Honors Program serves our most academically talented students who desire to make the most of their undergraduate experience. In a challenging, yet supportive environment, Honors students develop the skills necessary to become leaders both inside and outside the classroom. With an emphasis on the most urgent questions of 21st-century global citizenship, Honors students learn how to think critically, how to dialogue with multiple perspectives, and how to communicate clearly and effectively.

We recognize that exceptional students want more from their education. The heart of Honors is our customized curriculum that fully replaces all general education requirements for graduation. In Honors, students will engage with the ideas that shape our world and apply this knowledge to everyday life. All Honors courses feature experiential learning experiences that enable students to put their learning into practice. These experiences reveal that education is not a selfish pursuit, but rather preparation for a life of service to others.

Learn More About the Honors Curriculum

Is Honors Right for Me?

The Honors Scholars Program represents the top 10% of campus students and provides a challenging, yet supportive environment for our most talented students. Honors students are widely recognized as campus leaders both inside and outside the classroom. Based on their success in Honors, our graduates routinely attend top medical, law, and graduate programs, along with job placement in a wide variety of careers.

The heart of the Honors program is a customized curriculum focused on global citizenship that fully replaces the general education requirements for graduation. Students in the Honors Scholars Program at University Campus will enjoy all of the following benefits:

Additional $1,000 scholarship (For Incoming Fall Semester Honors Scholars Only)
A special degree and diploma from the University that highlights Honors (B.A. Honors or B.S. Honors)
The completion of general education courses in 6 fewer credits than non-Honors peers, making it easier for students to complete a 3+1 program, add a double major/minor, or take elective credits outside of their major
Optional upgraded housing (additional cost per semester) available for first-year students in Roderick Hall as suite-style housing with semi-private bathrooms and common living space
Exceptionally small class sizes, with Honors courses having 15 students or fewer in the classroom
Exclusive 1:1 research experiences with faculty, as well as private events for Honors Scholars and their parents and family members

Requirements for consideration into Honors:

Minimum unweighted 3.5 high school GPA
Be admitted to University Campus beginning in the Fall 2024 Semester
Complete and be accepted to the Honors Scholars Program by completing the supplemental application

Restrictions:

Student-athletes receiving athletic scholarships are ineligible, as the award is not stackable with such scholarships.
Nursing and Pre-Nursing students are not eligible for the honors Program.

Learn How to Apply

Honors Program Tracks

Honors Scholars

Honors Scholars is designed for incoming first-year students, or for current Saint Leo students who have earned less than 40 credits.

Honors Scholars are required to complete a total of 40 credits for general education. This is 6 credits less than non-Honors students, who complete 46 credits for general education. Honors Scholars often use their extra 6 credits to work toward a double major, a minor, or simply as free electives.

Honors Scholars are required to satisfy the following requirements. This sequence fully satisfies all general education requirements.

University Foundations (12 credits):

ENG121 – Academic Writing I
ENG122 – Academic Writing II
COM140 – Basic Computer Skills
MAT131 or higher

Honors Courses (21 credits):

HON160 – First Year Seminar I
HON161 – First Year Seminar II
HON260 – Ideas and Expression
HON261 – Nature
HON360 – Community and Identity
HON361 – Global Responsibility
One Honors elective at 200-level or higher

Honors Project (4 credits)

HON498 – Honors Research Methods
HON499 – Senior Honors Project

Honors Fellows

Honors Fellows is a track designed for transfer students, or current Saint Leo students with greater than 40 credit hours already completed. Honors Fellows are required to complete the 300-level and 400-level Honors coursework, but meet their general education requirements through University Explorations. Honors Fellows are also able to take any of the available Honors courses and apply those courses toward their University Explorations requirements.

Honors Fellows complete most of their general education requirements through University Explorations. However, they have the option to replace as many of these requirements as they would like with Honors courses. Honors Fellows must complete at least the following 10 credits within Honors:

HON 360 - Community and Identity
HON 361 - Global Responsibility
HON 498 - Honors Research Methods
HON 499 - Senior Honors Project

Honors-University Explorations Correspondence

For Honors Fellows, Honors courses count toward University Explorations requirements. The following correspondences apply between the Honors Program and University Explorations:

HON 260 Ideas and Expression – The Creative Life
HON 261 Nature – Science in a Changing World
HON 360 Community and Identity – Human Mosaic
HON 361 Global Responsibility – Human Adventure

Available Honors Programs

3+1 Accelerated Degree Programs

Students who are eligible for the Saint Leo University Honors Program are also eligible for admission to our new 3+1 Accelerated Degree Programs.

Available programs include:

3+3 Accelerated Law Program

The 3+3 accelerated law program is an intense yet rewarding and high-value opportunity for qualified and highly motivated students to earn two degrees in just six years - a bachelor's degree, followed by a Juris Doctor degree.